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Allan Raible's Take on the New Music Worth a Listen.

Allan Raible writes about music and the music industry. He is based in New York.

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In Honor of the 4th of July – A Musical List Celebrating America and 4th of July Activities

July 02, 2008 5:53 PM

Friday, as you know, is July 4th, so I have compiled a list of some of my favorite songs appropriate for celebrating our independence. Some songs are overtly about the 4th of July, others make references to the U.S. in their titles. Some are just simply named for common 4th of July activities. I purposely avoided the overplayed American standards on this list. You will not see any Lee Greenwood on this list, nor will you see “Living in America” by James Brown or any other song which you might hear during your standard fireworks display. I tried to go for something slightly edgier. In any case, I hope you enjoy reading about these songs.

10. “Firecracker” – Nada Surf (1998) This track is off Nada Surf’s under-rated second album “The Proximity Effect.” It’s a tightly wound rock song which like its title seems ready to explode. Leader Matthew Caws sings, “Firecracker, the one you keep inside. Firecracker, you don’t know how to light.” The song is a sonic burst of frustration. It’s an angsty anthem of inner-turmoil. It also, like “The Proximity Effect” is worth seeking out. This should’ve been a hit.

9. “Indoor Fireworks” – Elvis Costello (1986) This country-style ballad taken from Costello’s album “King of America” is a sweetly honed number about lovers with an often stormy relationship. A lot like love, “Indoor Fireworks can still burn your fingers.” Costello has tried to channel his country influence a number of times. This is one of his most successful attempts. WARNING: Using fireworks indoors in never recommended. Be safe this holiday!

8. “American Baby” – Dave Matthews Band (2005) Truth be told I’ve never quite understood the mass appeal of the Dave Matthews Band. Often times to me they sound like some sort of jazz hoedown (see “Ants Marching.”) Every now and then, however, they release something really amazing. Two songs come to mind. On Dave Matthews’ solo album, “Some Devil,” I can’t get enough of “Oh,” and this song from the band’s album “Stand Up.” Matthews is definitely a decent songwriter. This track is so striking, it’s downright cinematic. It’s so cinematic in fact that it should be used as the end theme music for a major motion picture. Fueled and set off by a softly plucked solo, it then opens up in an anthem-like fashion, while still possessing a dark under-current. Matthews’ growl has never been more alluring. This song is amazing. For a brief, fleeting moment it allows me to comprehend why a mass of baseball-hat-wearing frat-boys worships at the altar of Dave Matthews. The great, closing sax solo by LeRoi Moore is also worth the price of admission.

7. “Independence Day” – Elliott Smith (1998) From his album “XO,” this is a characteristically brooding number with a twisting, catchy tune and decent drum beat. It’s typical Smith. His gentle, high, whispery voice is the main star, but the song’s vague funkiness could’ve made it into something bigger. Somehow singing over his acoustic riff, Smith sounds both happy and sad at the same time.

6. “Made In America” – Del Tha Funky Homosapien (SD 50 B-Boy Remix) (1993) This song was the title song for a forgettable movie starring Whoopi Goldberg and Ted Danson, but the song itself, done by Del, is a funky party jam. It’s best in its remixed form found on Del’s best-of, “The Elektra Years.” On the track, over a bold beat and a funked-up guitar line, the one-time Gorillaz member proves why he is one of the most under-rated rappers in the game. The song is joyous and should long outlast the movie with which it shares its title.

5. “United States of Whatever – Liam Lynch (2003) Like everything Liam Lynch touches, this is an inspired slice of insanity. Before he released his lone album, “Fake Songs,” Lynch was known as one of the masterminds behind an MTV puppet show “Sifl & Olly.” Since the album’s release, he’s made an impact by directing the Tenacious D movie as well as Sarah Silverman’s “Jesus is Magic.”

“United States of Whatever” clocks in at a mere 1:29. It made waves in England and got some limited airplay here. This spoken word, punked-up rave-up is seemingly made up as it goes along. It’s as nuts as it is charmingly incoherent. The real emphasis in the title is on the word “Whatever” and not on “United States.” This is meant as a pure joke and not really as a song showing national pride, but it should make you laugh with its inane sense of self-importance. Somehow Lynch got Ringo Starr to drum on two of the other tracks on his album. Maybe it pays to be able to make people laugh after all.

4. “The Hands That Built America” – U2 (2002) This song was the theme to “Gangs of New York.” It also appeared on the band’s 1990-2000 “best of.” Sure it’s dramatic and sweeping, but it’s a song about immigration and the early American experience. It deserves to be over the top.

3. “American Music” – Violent Femmes (1991) This is one of the Violent Femmes’ most famous songs. This may be Gordon Gano’s attempt at an upbeat dance song, but it really becomes something timeless and classic. In fact out of all the Femmes’ famous songs, this one is the least ironic and the most genuine. It doesn’t possess the naughty snarkiness of let’s say “Add It Up” or “Blister In the Sun.” Instead, it’s just a good sing-along. “Do you like American Music? I like American Music.” The song is full of many such questions like, “I need a date to the prom. Would you like to come along?” I’m guessing the song isn’t a love song. The chorus has a section that says “You were born too late, I was born too soon, but every time I look at that ugly moon, it reminds me of you.” What a touching sentiment. On second thought, maybe this song is just as snarky as the rest!

2. “America” – Simon and Garfunkel (1968) Paul Simon has always been a sharp songwriter and “America” shows that. With a folk-driven undercurrent the song lifts itself to glorious heights. The lyrics are pure poetry. You care what happens to Simon’s character and “Kathy,” the woman he is singing to as they continue to “look for America.” This song is a great road-trip in three-and-a-half minutes, from its mention of a Greyhound bus in Pittsburgh to Simon’s assertion, “Michigan seems like a dream to me now.” To this day, this song gets better with every listen.

1. “4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy)” – Bruce Springsteen (1973) This song proves why so many people respect the Boss. His attention to detail as he describes this New Jersey beach scene on the 4th of July is flawless. You feel like you are with him walking on the boardwalk. You can smell the salt in the air. You can imagine the fireworks. If some of Bruce’s work since is a tad over-rated, it’s because people remember stellar moments like this. It doesn’t get any better. I can’t imagine a song more fitting for the 4th of July than this one.

What are your favorites? Have a happy and safe July 4th!

July 2, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (5)

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